KOTA KINABALU: Firemen have been forced to take turns fighting forest fires for two days straight owing to the drought and irresponsible acts of open burning in Kota Belud district.

On Sunday (March 10), they managed to put out nearly 324ha (800 acres) of secondary forest and brush fires.

However, there has been no chance for them to rest as other parts of the district caught alight on Monday (March 11), including Kg Kimo-Kimo, Kg Kondis, Kg Pompod, Kg Song-Song and Kg Lingkodon Kota Belud.

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Sabah Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Hamsa Isnurdini said the affected area has exceeded So far, the affected areas have exceeded 809ha (2,000 acres).

"For the record, we have to rope in assistance from Kota Marudu to fight these fires," he said.

The firefighters are using a variety of measures to battle the wildfires, from conventional hoses to water bombing via helicopter.

Those on the ground said it was a challenge extinguishing the flames because dry conditions and wind caused the fire to spread rapidly.

During the dry spell, there was a high risk of minor open burning escalating into a disaster because even the smallest ember could spark a major fire, they added.

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On Sunday (March 10), Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad reminded the public to refrain from open burning.

He said those found doing so can be compounded up to RM2,000 for each offence; they could also be charged in court and if found guilty, fined up to RM500,000 or jailed five years, or both.